Sharing the Waters of Life

Ten Countries Work Together to Protect the Longest River in the World

For farmers living throughout the Nile River's valleys, fishermen on lakes in the region, industries along its shores, and the millions who depend on its waters to drink, wash, and sustain their crops or livestock, the Nile means life. No wonder the demand for this precious resource is growing. Some of the Nile Basin countries are among the world's ten poorest countries; and more than half of the population lives on less than US$1/day. The Nile's potential for irrigation, power generation, fishing, tourism, trade and shipping is enormous―but so are its challenges. With the 300 million people who live in the countries bordering the river expected to double within the next 25 years , the countries of the region need to work together to share the benefits and protect the waters flowing within and across borders.

Canada has been an early and strong supporter of the Nile Basin Initiative―a partnership among the ten Nile-bordering states to develop the river in a more cooperative manner, share substantial socio-economic benefits and promote regional peace and security. A historic agreement in 1999 laid the foundation for a dynamic, ambitious, and African-led program supported by many donors, including Canada and the World Bank.

So far, the ten countries have agreed on a shared vision; increased communication, trust and cooperation among the Nile Basin countries and civil society; increased transboundary trade and investment and leveraged an additional $700 million in investments including irrigation projects in Ethiopia and Egypt, a hydroelectric dam at Rusumo Falls (Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi) and flood management in western Kenya.

Through this initiative, the ten countries are also addressing critical issues in the watershed, such as water quality, energy use, agriculture, education, and land conservation, including desertification. Canada is the second largest donor to the Nile Basin Trust Fund, contributing $46.6 million to support projects to increase food security, regional integration and economic growth, and to build stronger institutions.

Huge challenges remain including a legal agreement to guide the use, development, protection, conservation and management of the Nile River Basin and its resources. Even after a decade of increased cooperation, differences between the countries still exist on the legal framework. This is not uncommon as governments have often ended up talking for thirty to fifty years before reaching a final agreement on river cooperation. Canada, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program have been recognized as "cooperating partners" for their long-term roles in fostering dialogue and cooperation among the ten Nile Basin states. Sustainable development of the Nile Basin will help reduce poverty and provide more food, energy, water security and jobs.